Hartfelt Expressions is Under Way...

Jenna has partnered with her mom to open an etsy business. They are both so excited and wanted to share it with all of you. We are just getting started so our shelves are not full just yet, but they will be soon enough! We have an eclectic array of handmade items up right now and more in the works, so check back often!

If you would like to check it out you can visit the site at: www.hartfeltexpressions.etsy.com

Our First Geocaching Adventure

We discovered some good old fashioned family fun and decided to try it out. Geocaching. We went this past weekend and we are all hooked! For those of you who do not know what geocaching is you can check it out at http://www.geocaching.com/ but we will try to explain it. You use a GPS device to find various locations so you can locate the caches. It is like treasure hunting, just without all the gold, darn! So, for example: we went into the website and found 3 locations that were relatively close to our house (one was so close it was right up the street from us). We went in and found the coordinates and plugged them into Bryan's phone. Then found them on the map and went a huntin'. What fun! They have locations all over the world, so if you are interested we are pretty sure you would be able to find some near you! Check it out, it is a super fun way to spend some bonding time with family! The mighty mccoys highly recommend it!


Cache #1
This was the closest location to our house. It was in the old vineyard down the street from our house. So we put on our walking shoes and went to find our first treasure. Cousin Sienna found it! This cache was an old cup covered in duct tape and only had a log and pencils to sign with. After leaving our mark, we were on our way to 2.

Cache #2
This cache was in the brush by the railroad tracks and was discovered by the kids. The moms and little ones had to stay behind because it required a lot of climbing on uneven terrain. So Bryan volunteered to take the older kids. This cache had a log and some little treasures: little plastic lizards, army guys, and pennies. So going with the geocaching rule that if you take something you have to replace it with something of equal or greater value, the kids took a lizard and left a bouncy ball. After this stop we had to say goodbye to Audra and the kids. The McCoys ventured on to our last location.






Cache #3

This one was the trickiest little bugger. It was a micro cache, so we at least knew it would be small. The hints on the site were great, but we just did not get it at first. We spent 1 1/2 hours racking our brain and getting dirty digging. With cranky girls and hungry tummies starting to complain, Jenna decided to throw in the towel. She had loaded the girls in the car and was belted ready to go when Conlan and Bryan were so excited! We call this one our 11th hour find. Due to the boys persistant nature we found it! It was very creatively hidden! What a fun day!

The Little Princess

Aislinn is still Princess obsessed, mainly with Snow White. So we are fully using this to our advantage. Behavior modifications, manners you name it! She has taken to hitting her sister, so we will say things like: "Oh no, because you are princess you have to be nice to everyone. After all princesses treat everyone with kindness and respect even when it is hard." or "Princesses eat their vegetables if they want to beautiful, strong and healthy someday." Is it wrong, oh probably! But for the most part it is helping modify those particularly difficult times throughout the day.

She is still cute as can be though! And the other day when driving in the car she said, very matter of factly "Mommy....Someday my prince will come".

Here is the little princess with her twin, Snow White

I Wanna Be Just Like Brother Someday

Damara has become quite the little munchkin. Needless to say she is into EVERYTHING. Despite the belief that walking gets you from point A to point B quickly, not in this girl's case. She is like lightning when it comes to being in things she shouldn't (she can outrun or should we say outcrawl us all when trying to catch her). Especially brother and sister's toys, homework, you name it! Jenna walked out of the room to take care of something and came back in to discover that Demi had raided Conlan's soccer bag. She had somehow managed to put on his shinguards and was working on the shoes when we caught these pictures (probably figured that out by watching Con put them so often this past year). Here is the little monkey in action!

Demi On The Go

Damara is moving and shaking these days. It is only a matter of time before she starts walking without assistance. She uses her little walker to go everywhere. In all honesty, she really doesn't need it (it is more of a confidence booster at this point). She cracks us up flying through the house attached to this thing. Here is some video we caught of her recently that we thought you might enjoy!

Almost There

Aislinn has really enjoyed the movie "Princess and the Frog" recently. Not sure if anyone is familiar with the story, but simply put: Tiana is working very hard for dreams to open a restaurant. The song "Almost There" is sung while she is cleaning up and imagining her restaurant's debut. Wondering why Aislinn had been on such a cleaning kick, now it all makes sense. We caught her doing some sweeping outside today. And unfortunately only caught the tale end of her choreographed number with the broom. Hopefully you will get the idea of her singing antics! Check it out below! :)

Happy Birthday Aislinn

Our little Aisy turned 3 this last week and in full princess power too! We started the day off by bringing her breakfast in bed only to discover her waiting for us at the top of the stairs. When she saw us coming she was so excited that she quickly ran back to her bed and tucked the covers all around her. When we sang her "Happy Birthday" she was more than happy to sing along with us. Too cute! She also got to wear her special Snow White costume to celebrate the day in. She played the princess part to perfection! Oh my! We celebrated the evening with cake and ice cream and presents and were happy to have some family join us too! It's a good thing cause the cake was big enough for an army of celebrating! Aislinn enjoyed her day and ended the day in a sugary, sleepy stumper!

The Princess cake

Princess Aislinn along with her royal subjects

Princess Demi (man is that girl flexible)